California’s aging water infrastructure and collection of ecosystems will receive a $7.5 billion injection of taxpayer dollars, as voters on Tuesday approved a sizable bond that had become a priority for lawmakers and the governor.

A drought that has withered water supplies, imperiled farms and deprived some Californians of reliable drinking water placed the water bond atop the Legislature’s agenda this year. Lawmakers barreled through deadlines as they sought to craft a bond measure that could win broad support and replace a previous bond measure, passed in 2009, that most came to reject as too large.

From the moment in August that the Legislature passed bond legislation and Gov. Jerry Brown affixed his signature, backers projected confidence about the measure’s chances. They unified in a coalition that included environmental groups, agricultural entities and organized labor.

The governor campaigned heavily for the bond – more assertively, it seemed at times, than for his own re-election. Brown had vowed to oppose an $11.1 billion measure that lawmakers passed in 2009 and then delayed twice. Lawmakers discarded that bond and substituted the $7.5 billion measure that, while higher than the $6 billion total Brown initially floated, still represented a slimmed-down alternative.

The breadth and financial might of the pro-bond coalition easily eclipsed the opponents. A small group of environmental groups, funded largely by donations from the Stockton area, decried what they called an emphasis on building new dams and warned the bond could quietly aid Brown’s intent to build two massive water pipes beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Opponents also warned about the debt load the state would assume. According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the measure requires California to pay off the borrowing for 40 years at an annual cost of $360 million.

Much of the debate in the Legislature centered on constructing more storage facilities. California’s sprawling water delivery system relies on a network of reservoirs to stash water that is then piped to users throughout the state or released for environmental reasons.

Republicans and lawmakers from the agriculture-reliant Central Valley said California must build more dams and reservoirs to ensure a larger overall supply of water in dry years. The bond was crafted in a way that facilitates funding new dams, although water experts have questioned the cost-effectiveness of such projects since the most obvious sites in California are already spanned by dams.

Of the $7.5 billion allocated by the bond, more than a third is designated for storage projects. The final $2.7 billion figure emerged from down-to-the-wire negotiations.

Other outlays in the bond include: $800 million for regional water infrastructure projects and $500 million for drinking water and wastewater treatment in small communities; $800 million to clean up contaminated groundwater, which is pumped from beneath the earth; $725 million for recycling and reusing existing water or desalination; $395 million for flood protection; and $1.5 billion for environmental projects around the state.

As campaign deadlines drew closer and the water bond debate in the Legislature intensified, the fate of Brown’s Bay Delta Conservation Plan moved to the forefront. Brown has championed the tunnel project as a way to even out water deliveries to Southern California. Most environmentalists and lawmakers in the Delta region strenuously oppose the plan.

Democratic leaders argued that any perceived link with the Delta project would doom the bond. While the bond bills being debated prohibited spending money on constructing tunnels, advocates warned that bond money could fund the environmental restoration piece of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan.

In the end, language governing how bond money could be spent assuaged Delta advocates who were convinced that no bond money could be counted toward the BDCP. Every lawmaker representing the region voted in favor of the borrowing measure.

Now the scramble for bond money is on. It will be distributed through a competitive grant process overseen by various state agencies. Which agency vets applications and awards money will depend on what the money is for.

Call Jeremy B. White, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5543.

A supporter marks down yes votes at the at campaign headquarters for Roger Dickerson election night, Tuesday November 4, 2014.
Brian BaerSpecial to The Bee

Manny Crisostomomcrisostomo@sacbee.com

Roger Dickinson holds two year old Oliva Sala of Sacramento, as he greets supporters at his Campaign headquarters before watching election results in his race for the 6th Senate race against Richard Pan, Tuesday November 4, 2014.
Brian BaerSpecial to The Bee

Campaign volunteer Ken Weddle blows up balloons in preparation of a long evening at the Dr. Richard Pan campaign headquarters on L St. in Sacramento. Pan is running against Roger Dickinson for the 6th Senate seat.
Randy AllenRandy Allen

Volunteer Crystal Vang marks off a yes tote on the wall at campaign headquarters for Roger Dickerson election night, Tuesday November 4, 2014.
Brian BaerSpecial to The Bee

Supporters of Tom Torlakson patiently wait for his arrival during an election night watch party for State Superintendent of Public Instruction at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. The non-partisan race for California State Superintendent pits two Democrats,Tom Torlakson against former charter school executive Marshall Tuck.
Andrew SengAseng@sacbee.com

Supporters of Tom Torlakson patiently wait for his arrival during an election night watch party for State Superintendent of Public Instruction at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. The non-partisan race for California State Superintendent pits two Democrats,Tom Torlakson against former charter school executive Marshall Tuck.
Andrew SengAseng@sacbee.com

Dr. Richard Pan greets supporters at his election night party on L St. in Sacramento on November 4, 2014. Pan is running against Roger Dickinson for the 6th Senate seat. Photo by Randy Allen ELX-SEN-6TH-1105
Randy Allen

Former GOP Rep. Doug Ose, left, shares a laugh with Maxine Knezovich, 85, as he waits for results with supporters at Rudy's Hideaway on Tues., Nov. 4, 2014, in Rancho Cordova, Calif. He is challenging Democratic Rep. Ami Bera for his seat in Congress.
Renée C. Byerrbyer@sacbee.com

Former GOP Rep. Doug Ose, left, is interviewed as he waits for results with supporters at Rudy's Hideaway on Tues., Nov. 4, 2014, in Rancho Cordova, Calif. He is challenging Democratic Rep. Ami Bera for his seat in Congress.
Renée C. Byerrbyer@sacbee.com

Former GOP Rep. Doug Ose waits for results with supporters at Rudy's Hideaway on Tues., Nov. 4, 2014, in Rancho Cordova, Calif. He is challenging Democratic Rep. Ami Bera for his seat in Congress District 7.
Renée C. Byerrbyer@sacbee.com

Former GOP Rep. Doug Ose, left, goes over results with Michawn Rich,right, communications director, as he waits for results with supporters at Rudy's Hideaway on Tues., Nov. 4, 2014, in Rancho Cordova, Calif. He is challenging Democratic Rep. Ami Bera for his seat in Congress District 7.
Renée C. Byerrbyer@sacbee.com

Louise Einspahr, left, former Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, Jann Dorothy, and Paula Lee watch for early election returns on a smart phone during the election night return party of opponents of Measure L in Sacramento on Tuesday, November 4, 2014.
Randall Bentonrbenton@sacbee.com

Sacramento City Council member Steve Hansen, District 4, left, greets former Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo during the election night return party of opponents of Measure L in Sacramento on Tuesday, November 4, 2014.
Randall Bentonrbenton@sacbee.com

Sacramento City Council member Steve Hansen, District 4, during the election night return party of opponents of Measure L in Sacramento on Tuesday, November 4, 2014.
Randall Bentonrbenton@sacbee.com

Roger Dickinson greets supporters at his Campaign headquarters before watching election results in his race for the 6th Senate race against Richard Pan, Tuesday November 4, 2014.
Brian BaerSpecial to The Bee

Sacramento City Council member Steve Hansen, District 4, left, greets former Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo during the election night return party of opponents of Measure L in Sacramento on Tuesday, November 4, 2014.
Randall Bentonrbenton@sacbee.com

State Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Marshall Tuck talks to a market goer at the Culver City Farmers Market on election day.
Ringo H.W. ChiuAP

Roger Dickinson greets supporters at his Campaign headquarters before watching election results in his race for the 6th Senate race against Richard Pan, Tuesday November 4, 2014.
Brian BaerSpecial to The Bee

Sacramento City Council member Steve Hansen, District 4, speaks to members of the press during the election night return party of opponents of Measure L in Sacramento on Tuesday, November 4, 2014.
Randall Bentonrbenton@sacbee.com

The election results are displayed on the wall as Roger Dickinson greets supporters at his Campaign headquarters in his race for the 6th Senate race against Richard Pan, Tuesday November 4, 2014.
Brian BaerSpecial to The Bee

Roger Dickinson talks to the media as he greets supporters at his Campaign headquarters before watching election results in his race for the 6th Senate race against Richard Pan, Tuesday November 4, 2014.
Brian BaerSpecial to The Bee

Roger Dickinson greets supporters at his Campaign headquarters before watching election results in his race for the 6th Senate race against Richard Pan, Tuesday November 4, 2014.
Brian BaerSpecial to The Bee

Roger Dickinson hugs his wife Marj as they greet supporters at his Campaign headquarters in his race for the 6th Senate race against Richard Pan.
Brian BaerSpecial to The Bee

Sacramento City Council member Steve Hansen, District 4, right, during the election night party of opponents of Measure L at the New Helvetia Brewery in Sacramento on Tuesday, November 4, 2014.
Randall Bentonrbenton@sacbee.com

Dr. Richard Pan greets supporters at his election night party on L St. in Sacramento on November 4, 2014. Pan is running against Roger Dickinson for the 6th Senate seat.
Randy Allen

Sacramento City Council member Steve Hansen, District 4, speaks to supporters during the election night return party of opponents of Measure L in Sacramento on Tuesday, November 4, 2014.
Randall Bentonrbenton@sacbee.com

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson greets his supporters during an election night watch party at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. The non-partisan race for California State Superintendent pits two Democrats,Tom Torlakson against former charter school executive Marshall Tuck.
Andrew SengAseng@sacbee.com